(a) (1) The following individuals or entities shall designate one or more representatives to participate as a party in collective bargaining on behalf of the State or the following institutions:
(i) on behalf of the State, the Governor;
(ii) on behalf of the Maryland Environmental Service, the Board of Directors of the Service;
(iii) on behalf of the University System of Maryland, the Chancellor; and
(iv) on behalf of Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College, the governing board of the institution.
(2) The exclusive representative shall designate one or more representatives to participate as a party in collective bargaining on behalf of the exclusive representative.
(b) The parties shall meet at reasonable times and engage in collective bargaining in good faith, including facilitating the meaningful use of a fact finder under subsection (c)(3) of this section, and to conclude a written memorandum of understanding or other written understanding as defined under § 3–101(d)(1)(i)2 of this title.
(c) (1) The parties shall make every reasonable effort to conclude negotiations in a timely manner for inclusion by the principal unit in its budget request to the Governor.
(2) (i) The parties shall conclude negotiations before January 1 for any item requiring an appropriation of funds for the fiscal year that begins on the following July 1.
(ii) In the budget bill submitted to the General Assembly, the Governor shall include any amounts in the budgets of the principal units required to accommodate any additional cost resulting from the negotiations, including the actuarial impact of any legislative changes to any of the State pension or retirement systems that are required, as a result of the negotiations, for the fiscal year beginning the following July 1 if the legislative changes have been negotiated to become effective in that fiscal year.
(3) (i) This paragraph does not apply to negotiations between the State and the exclusive representative of the uniformed fire employees of the BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department.
(ii) If the parties do not conclude negotiations for the next fiscal year before October 25, either party may request that a fact finder be employed to resolve the issues.
(iii) The fact finder shall be employed no later than November 1.
(iv) A fact finder shall be a neutral party appointed by alternate striking from a list by the parties provided:
1. by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; or
2. under the Labor Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.
(v) The fact finder:
1. may give notice and hold hearings in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act;
2. may administer oaths and take testimony and other evidence;
3. may issue subpoenas; and
4. before November 20, shall make written recommendations regarding wages, hours, and working conditions, and any other terms or conditions of employment that may be in dispute.
(vi) The written recommendations of the fact finder shall be delivered to the Governor, the exclusive representative, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates by the Secretary on or before December 1.
(4) (i) This paragraph applies only to negotiations between the State and the exclusive representative of the uniformed fire employees of the BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department.
(ii) The parties shall reach an agreement by September 30 of the year in which a collective bargaining agreement will expire.
(iii) An impasse is reached during the negotiations if the parties do not reach an agreement:
1. by stating that they mutually agree they are at an impasse; or
2. on or before October 1 of the year in which a collective bargaining agreement will expire.
(iv) If an impasse is reached under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, each party shall submit its last, best, and final offer to the other party within 48 hours after the impasse is reached.
(v) 1. Unless the impasse has been resolved, the parties shall meet within 5 business days after the impasse is reached under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph to select an arbitrator from a list of 15 arbitrators provided by the American Arbitration Association’s labor arbitration panel.
2. The parties shall select the arbitrator by alternately striking a name from the list until one name remains.
3. If the selected arbitrator is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the arbitration, the selection process shall be repeated using a new list of arbitrators until an arbitrator is selected.
4. The parties shall submit the dispute and the last, best, and final offers to the arbitrator within 5 business days after the arbitrator is selected.
(vi) 1. The arbitrator shall hold formal hearings as necessary in order to resolve the impasse.
2. During the first 21 days immediately following the appointment of the arbitrator and before holding any formal hearings, the arbitrator may, if determined appropriate by the arbitrator, attempt to resolve the impasse by acting as a neutral mediator between the parties.
(vii) The arbitrator shall select one party’s last, best, and final offer on or before December 15.
(viii) 1. Subject to subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, the decision of the arbitrator is binding on the parties.
2. A decision of an arbitrator under this paragraph related to wages is subject to the limitations of the State budget.
(ix) The parties shall equally share the costs of the services of the arbitrator.
(d) (1) A memorandum of understanding that incorporates all matters of agreement reached by the parties shall be executed by the exclusive representative and:
(i) for a memorandum of understanding relating to the State, the Governor or the Governor’s designee;
(ii) for a memorandum of understanding relating to the Maryland Environmental Service, the Board of Directors of the Service;
(iii) for a memorandum of understanding relating to a system institution, the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee; and
(iv) for a memorandum of understanding relating to Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College, the governing board of the institution or the governing board’s designee.
(2) To the extent these matters require legislative approval or the appropriation of funds, the matters shall be recommended to the General Assembly for approval or for the appropriation of funds.
(3) To the extent matters involving a State institution of higher education require legislative approval, the legislation shall be recommended to the Governor for submission to the General Assembly.
(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, negotiations for a memorandum of understanding shall be considered closed sessions under § 3–305 of the General Provisions Article.
(2) An exclusive representative may not be considered a public body under § 3–101 of the General Provisions Article.
(f) (1) The terms of a memorandum of understanding executed by the Governor or the Governor’s designee and an exclusive representative of a bargaining unit for skilled service or professional service employees in the State Personnel Management System are not applicable to employees of a State institution of higher education.
(2) The terms of a memorandum of understanding executed by the Chancellor or the governing board of Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College, or their respective designees, and the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit for employees of a State institution of higher education are not applicable to skilled service or professional service employees in the State Personnel Management System.